Going away to college not all it’s cracked up to be?
By Aleksandra Pavlovic
“I sat on my bed the second day I was at U of I,” said Lane alumni Izabela Bierc. “I thought, ‘Man, I need to get out of here.’”
The idea of claiming independence and going out of state for college was nothing short of thrilling for many, including Bierc, but numerous students have found themselves unsatisfied and are either transferring or have already transferred back to schools in Chicago.
“The initial excitement was great, but it wasn’t what I imagined,” said Bierc. “I felt like I was secluded in a bubble.”
One of Bierc’s main concerns was the lack of a fast-paced lifestyle.
“Everything was so slow. Champagne is tiny, and the city goes to sleep early. There’s not really anything to do except get involved with school. It’s in the middle of nowhere; you can’t leave.”
Bierc transferred to Depaul University on January third and is grateful for the decision.
“I fell in love with Depaul. It was how I envisioned college to be. Either way it’s a hit or miss- you either love your school or you don’t.”
Whitney Young alumni Max Fitzpatrick felt that a college town was not right for him, but Santa Monica Community College in Santa Monica, California did not seem to be the right fit either.
“It was high school all over again,” said Fitzpatrick.
“But nobody wanted to chill or make friends. The school was filled with rich kids that didn’t seem to care much for their education as long as their parents were paying for it. I wanted to learn, and I knew that I wasn’t accomplishing there what I could’ve been accomplishing here.”
Fitzpatrick plans on transferring to Columbia College as soon as possible.
“I thought that California would be awesome, and it was, but community college was just not the way to go.”
Lane graduate Izzy Carr chose to attend Grand Valley State University in order to move away from home.
“I wanted a new place, new people, a new environment,” said Carr. “The campus was pretty and the school was affordable, but it wasn’t my first choice.”
Carr wishes to be in a city and hopes to transfer to Depaul and or the University of Pittsburgh by her sophomore year.
“I can’t deal with farmville USA. At least I know that I gave it a shot.”
Wilfredo Torres, also a Lane alumni, does not feel a sense of accomplishment
in his decision to stay in-state. Torres attends Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois.
“I feel like I didn’t have to do much to get accepted so I’m not necessarily proud or glad that I go there,” said Torres. “I don’t belong there. I’m applying to schools all over the country so I can transfer. Even though it’s more expensive, I think I’m happier to pay for an education that I want rather than a cheap one I’m simply settling for.”
Lake View graduate Jon Parker is having a difficult time adjusting to the University of Missouri.
“Mizzou is heavily Greek oriented,” said Parker. It’s the only form of entertainment, and coming from Chicago, that’s a huge let-down. And I’m sick of the hills; I miss looking out of my window and seeing the lake.”
Parker, however, does not wish to transfer and wants to give the university another chance to impress him.
“It has a good sports team, good academics, and a big campus. I might transfer my Junior year, but I may not. Who knows?”
Amongst the disappointed students are satisfied ones that are enjoying their time away from home.
“I don’t miss Chicago,” said Whitney Young graduate Casey Ferrantella who attended Santa Monica Com
munity College with Fitzpat
rick. “[Chicago] is waiting for me. I knew what I signed up for when I left. Moving away seems to be the most logical step to take after college.
I get homesick at times, but I don’t think it hits me as hard as it does others.”
Ferrantella wishes he moved to a different part of California, but is mostly satisfied with his decision.
“You need a car in LA, and so many people are fake. It’s like one big suburb. I wish I moved to San Francisco because of its public transportation.”
Lane alumni Donovan Tolledo is also satisfied with his decision to move away to the University of Madison, Wisconsin.
“College is overrated, anyone can tell you that,” said Tolledo. “It’s hard, and it’s up to you to manage your time there. I love Madison, even though it’s a small town and I’d much rather be in Chicago at times, but I like the school and the people.”
Tolledo mentally prepared for being away from his family and friends and knew that going away to college would be challenging.
“People don’t like being by themselves, but that’s part of being an adult. You won’t just stay with your family your entire life. I think about home all the time but I like being where I am.”
Although many students are struggling with being far from home, many are deciding to tough it out and embrace the independence. Either way, reality does not come handed on a silver platter, and after being released from high school’s safe graces, life becomes a survival of the fittest.
